RIASS stuff:
Book Review: Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure by Joanne Harris'Rating: 
Book Review: The Scent of Lemon Leaves by Clara Sanchez'Rating:
Back to the books giveaway hop: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles'(open to all)
Other bookish stuff:
British crime writers glaring.
A thoughtful reaction to Cheryl Kleins pyramid of literary quality'My husband and I had quite a discussion about this one last night. One thing that we talked about was whether the perspective from which the pyramid has been created necessarily reflects that of a typical reader, rather than someone who works in editorial/as a writer. We also discussed how resonance can also be linked so much to availability and to a desire for participation. For example, he wanted to know why Twilight (for arguments sake) is so beloved by readersdoes it mean that other books dont resonate with them? My argument was that books such as these are so widely available and have become part of our cultural sphere that its not that they necessarily resonate'more than other books, its that theyre so much more'available. A reader who reads only a couple of books a year may not necessarily prefer Twilight to another book, but well never know, because they simply wont get to pick up that other book.
Philip Roth will be working with biographer Blake Bailey'The finished work should appear in 8-10 years. Hang in there.
Author Madeline Miller on her book tour experience'Like many writers, I have a streak of perfectionism that extends far beyond the page, and I spent the weeks before the tour trying to figure out the 'right' way to do everything. 'Looming largest was my fear 'that I didn't know the correct way to sign books. ' I obsessed over possibilities: should I use the inside board? 'The title page? 'Should I write the date or just a note?
Are longer books more important? A first-time novelist let an editor cut his book in half'An interesting article about an author who submitted a 190k manuscript (roughly double the norm for a debut), which an editor argued was too long for what was really a 100k story. What, asks the articles author, makes a book'feel as though it should be longer or shorter? For me, its an issue of completeness. Some of the books Ive read feel bloated, as though theres so much going on that the story thats actually being told gets lost. Others feel as though the story idea is still germinating. The article, however, goes on to look at why different lengths are appropriate to different genreswhy, for example, fantasy gets to be so fat, while comic novels are often short.
David Brin says all new writers should turn to murder. Murder mysteries, that is.'His rationale? That mysteries force writers to focus on plotting, drama, and suspense, and ensures that they cant, well, get away with literary murder.
NASA gives Ray Bradbury a shout-out.
Mmm, pretty typography
Those who received some validation from yesterdays link about long sentences should enjoy this post, too.'Enter (I hope) the long sentence: the collection of clauses that is so many-chambered and lavish and abundant in tones and suggestions, that has so much room for near-contradiction and ambiguity and those places in memory or imagination that cant be simplified, or put into easy words, that it allows the reader to keep many things in her head and heart at the same time, and to descend, as by a spiral staircase, deeper into herself and those things that wont be squeezed into an either/or.
Charlie Higson on the making of the trailer for his book The Sacrifice'The new trailer is not a low-budget hand-held camera affair, but rather a cinematic Hollywood-style preview. My favourite bit is when Higson talks about trying to film an empty London, a la 28 Days Later. My tip: do so during the football Grand Final. I have never seen my city as dead as when I was walking home during the overtime!
Tom Pollock on urban fantasy, cities and myth''Pollock notes that our populations are increasingly urban, meaning that urban fantasy is increasingly relevant, particularly as people are looking for an emotional/psychical connection to their world in addition to a physical one. Cities, too, he says, are a breeding ground for myth, in part because of their density, meaning that its so much more likely that stories and myths will evolve.
Nathan Bransford on how to deal with revision fatigue (something I am dealing with by working on another manuscript). This too shall pass, he says, noting that its when you believe your book is a horrible, unreadable best that you should turn your critical eye on it. Revision fatigue for me involves flip-flopping between this is a work of genius! and I am a dull, dull fool moments, a vacillation that occurs with extraordinary frequency.
Judy Blume has written a very moving post about her battle with breast cancer
Andy Mulligan, author of the wonderful Trash (which I reviewed here) offers his top ten school series. These include the Worst Witch series, Sachars Holes, Blytons Mallory Towers books and of course Harry Potter. And while were hanging out at'The Guardian, how about these childrens books that encourage kids to question authority?
Oh how sad to hear of Judy Blumes battle with breast cancer and what a touching and encouraging post. She is such an inspiring author and one of my personal favourites.
Thanks for the link Stephanie
My pleasure, Shelleyrae. Its very sad, isnt it? Blume is certainly an inspiration.